USDA Grants Kansas Disaster Declaration

Kansas's request for a disaster declaration for 21 counties pounded by drought, high winds and wildfires has been granted. The declaration will cover 18 contiguous counties as well.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack notified Gov. Sam Brownback today (May 11) that USDA had granted his request for a disaster declaration.

"I appreciate the Secretary and USDA's quick response to my request," Brownback said. "This is worse than previous droughts I've seen during a lifetime in agriculture. It already is affecting how farmers and ranchers are doing business – and that in turn will quickly impact local businesses and communities. It will take a great deal of time and rain to reverse the impact of this drought."

Declaring these county agricultural disasters makes qualified farmers in both primary and contiguous counties eligible for emergency loans administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency, as well as any other aid that may be available through the Supplemental Revenue Assistance payments Program.